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Italy and Malta come alive with rich detail of the region’s grandeur in the latest free World Update of Microsoft Flight Simulator. "Fly throughout the historic cities of Rome and Venice, soar above Mediterranean coastlines and navigate sheer-faced peaks, all rendered in lifelike realism with World Update IX: Italy & Malta," writes Jorg Neumann, Head of Microsoft Flight Simulator, in a post on Xbox Wire. "The Microsoft Flight Simulator team has refined this area with the latest geospatial data available, including digital elevation modeling, aerial and satellite imagery, and triangulated irregular network (TIN) modeling of 20 cities, including Rome, Naples, Venice and…

It’s a moment we’ve been building toward — new capabilities from Microsoft Cloud for Sustainability that will enable faster, broader transformation for organizations at varying stages of their sustainability journey. We are pleased to announce the general availability of Cloud for Sustainability on June 1. Now, a growing set of ESG (environmental, social and governance) capabilities from Microsoft and our global ecosystem of partners will give organizations the opportunity to accelerate their progress and business growth. Watch the video. Turning sustainability commitments into action with better data intelligence To stabilize our future and build more quick…

Twins Miles and Malik George are almost always in sync. They graduated at the top of their high school class as co-valedictorians. At MIT, these bioengineering students embraced and expanded upon their love of science. They were also in multiple diverse groups on campus such as Nu Delta Fraternity, The Standard, and Laureates and Leaders. This last program is dedicated to helping under-represented students get Ph.D.s or M.D./Ph.D.s and has a selective entry process. The two fondly remembered the program as instrumental in shaping their academic careers. They worked with MIT Admissions as Admissions Ambassadors to increase the number of underrepresented students that apply…

Graham, a 12-year-old boy who lives in Kansas, has a neurological condition that renders him unable to read or write. But, thanks to Windows speech-to-text, Immersive Reader and other tools, he’s been able to look forward to the future. He now aces book reports and makes business cards for his lawn-mowing service thanks to those tools. He dreams of being a doctor. Features like these can help address inequity in schools, empowering students like Graham to find their voices and be game changers. See the video below. To learn more about Graham and some of the ways teachers are using technology to help address inequity in the classroom, visit Microsoft Stories. Con…

Water is one of the most precious resources on Earth. And as someone whose family has been farming for generations, Fred Ziari has made it his life’s work to help growers be more efficient with this vital element for their crops, as well as the energy it takes to distribute it. Ziari is the CEO of IRZ Engineering & Consulting, which provides services to agriculture communities around the world. The company is based in eastern Oregon, which he says is 95% efficient in its water use, vs. about 40% globally. Water management is directly tied to crop productivity. IRZ offers water management services for large scale farms (100 acres or more), using water sensors and Micro…

Srinivas Prasad Sugasani: It’s such fun to connect with you on Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. As Asians and Pacific Islanders, I feel that we have so much to celebrate. At the same time, as we think about some of the events and realities that we have navigated recently, I’m curious from your perspective, Jane, what do you feel is different about this past year? Jane Hesmondhalgh: We’ve continued on our journey of working to create an inclusive culture at Microsoft. And there is still a gap between our aspired culture and everyone’s lived experiences today. For some, that gap may be small; for others it may be larger. But the fact that at Microsoft we have t…

Lenovo has unveiled a new generation of Windows 11 PCs to help people navigate the new normal of hybrid life. The seventh generation of Yoga devices are designed to help connect, consume, create and collaborate from home, school, the office and beyond. Lenovo’s Yoga 2-in-1 convertible laptops were pioneers in opening possibilities for users to flip and fold from work to play. Since then, Yoga has expanded to multiple form factors, including ultra-slim clamshell laptops and desktop computers. The Yoga Slim 7i Pro X and Yoga Slim 7 Pro X (known as Lenovo Slim 7i Pro X and Lenovo Slim 7 Pro X in the U.S.), enable creation anywhere, anytime. [caption id=attachment_177168" ali…

On May 22, 1990, Microsoft Solitaire first made its way to Windows 3.0. Thirty-two years later, the classic card game is the most played video game of all time and has a dedicated team that is passionate about keeping the fun alive for many years to come. In celebration of its anniversary, Microsoft Solitaire is throwing a party throughout the month of May with weekly surprises, exclusive in-game events and a new feature release. Microsoft Solitaire Collection is available for free in the Microsoft Store. Continue reading...

Last year, Microsoft renewed and strengthened its commitment to closing the disability divide; to work toward improving educational and employment opportunities for people with disabilities around the world. And that commitment has been central to the development of Windows 11: the most inclusively designed version of Windows yet. At its launch last fall, Windows 11 included a whole host of accessibility improvements designed for and with people with disabilities: calmer, more appealing sound schemes; beautiful new contrast themes and closed caption customizations; a more responsive and flexible experience for working with assistive technologies; and a new Accessibility S…

Today, Microsoft is kicking off the 12th Annual Ability Summit, a free community event that brings together people with disabilities, allies and industry professionals to imagine and build the future of inclusion and accessibility. It showcases our commitment to accessibility across the company and our fundamental belief that technology should be inclusive, ensuring everyone can access its benefits regardless of ability level, learning style or level of familiarity with technology. We’ve seen the PC become even more integral to productivity, connection and play over the last two years as we transitioned to hybrid ways of working and learning. The internet is a core part o…

Ramon Ray’s first foray into small business was as a computer consultant, more than two decades ago. The lifelong Windows user – a self-identified geek – didn’t know why he was so drawn to technology from such an early age, but he built do-it-yourself electronic kits from Radio Shack (such as transistor radios) as a kid. His dad being an electrician also probably influenced him too. His comfort level with modern tools went hand in hand with a willingness to take on risk – something he compares with free climbing. Ray – who grew up in the Midwest, “where neighbors nod at each other and say hello” and later, New York City – projects an extrovert’s comfort with events and pu…

Lone Wolves: Season 2 is now available as part of Halo Infinite’s free-to-play multiplayer journey on Windows, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One and Steam. Players can now jump in with fresh content including new maps, modes, themed limited-time events and an all-new premium Battle Pass that never expires. “Season 2 sees a new narrative begin to unfold: Cortana’s dominion has ended, and the Banished rushed to fill the void, decimating all who stand in their way,” writes Will Tuttle on Xbox Wire. “Spartan Commander Agryna is preparing a new generation of Spartans to face them — and perhaps even more dangerous foes. But a few scattered Spartans remain in the field. These Spartans a…

A galactic amount of Star Wars content is being discounted between May 3-9 on the Minecraft Marketplace. During that time you can get 33% off five Star Wars skin packs and the epic Star Wars DLC. You can also claim a free R2-D2 beanie Character Creator item in the Dressing Room. Visit Minecraft.net to find out more. Continue reading...

Forza Horizon 5 Series 7 invites you to celebrate Cinco de Mayo, the annual celebration of Mexico’s culture, cuisine and heritage. The city of Guanajuato in the game is ready for the festivities with new, colorful decorations. Players can also celebrate by unlocking new clothing items inspired by Mexico’s murals and the region of Puebla. Meanwhile, the Horizon Tour evolves with new championships and Ferrari takes over the Festival Playlist. The Forza Horizon 5 Series 7 Update is available to download now on Windows, Xbox and Steam. Head over to ForzaMotorsport.net for release notes, details of the Horizon Tour and more. Continue reading...

This week is National Small Business Week, a chance to celebrate the entrepreneurs and all that your businesses bring to our communities. As a former CEO of two small businesses myself, I know it takes courage and resilience to turn a vision into reality. It also requires powerful and flexible tools and secure technology to run an organization, having the right tools enables you to focus on your customers and growing your business. I am proud that Microsoft and our partners deliver incredible Windows 11 Pro devices, cloud services and experiences purpose-built for small businesses. Since Microsoft’s inception, we have relied on the strength and scale of our partner ecosys…

The U.S. Congress in 1999 officially designated May as National Military Appreciation Month, and at Microsoft we mark this as a time to recognize and celebrate the employee military community globally. In this moment I remember my own grandfathers. My dad’s father served as an infantryman in World War I. The tri-corner folded flag presented to us at his funeral is encased steps away from my desk at home. My mom’s stepfather served as a paratrooper in World War II. The map he carried with him of the 1943 invasion of Sicily, where he jumped behind enemy lines, hangs just a few feet from my desk as well. Both my grandfathers were enlisted soldiers who volunteered and ser…

Dynasties of India – the third expansion for Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition – is available now. The new downloadable content involves three unique civilizations, exciting campaigns and a long list of achievements to conquer. Plus, from 4 p.m. PT on April 28 through May 12, the Dynasties of India Event will be available with new challenges and rewards. Head over to AgeOfEmpires.com for all the details. Continue reading...

The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase will stream on Sunday, June 12 at 10 a.m. PT, featuring new titles coming from Xbox Game Studios, Bethesda and partners around the world. "The Xbox & Bethesda Games Showcase will include everything you need to know about the diverse lineup of games coming soon to the Xbox ecosystem, including upcoming releases to Game Pass on Xbox and PC," writes Will Tuttle on Xbox Wire. The showcase will be streamed on a variety of outlets in over 30 languages. Head over to Xbox Wire to see where you can tune in from and more. Continue reading...

https://blogs.microsoft.com/wp-content/uploads/prod/2022/04/RE-re_-GettyImages-1311276615-1024x697.jpg Photo credit: lupengyu/Getty Images This past quarter was shaped by global events and has renewed our focus on how the cloud enables organizations to manage risk while supporting growth. In my conversations with customers, building more resilient and adaptable supply chains is top of mind. Organizations across industries are using cloud-powered technologies to help predict supplier constraints and deliver on their customer promises. Customers have also shared how the cloud enables them to achieve more with less and better track, measure and report progress toward the…

“As we observe Earth Day 2022, we know that protecting the planet is critical, and we are committed to creating a more sustainable future,” writes Nick Parker, corporate vice president for Global Partner Solutions, on the Official Microsoft Blog. “Organizations around the world need to transition to a net zero, environmentally sustainable future in a short period of time, and our partners are leveraging the Microsoft cloud, Cloud for Sustainability, data and AI to build innovative applications, solutions and services to help customers transform their operations, products, services and supply chains, to facilitate their transition to net zero, and achieve their sustainabil…

As we observe Earth Day 2022, we know that protecting the planet is critical, and we are committed to creating a more sustainable future. For Microsoft, sustainability isn’t just an ambition — it’s part of our culture. Our commitments and actions on sustainability are far-reaching and are some of the most ambitious out there. Our goal isn’t just to become more sustainable though, we want to help every organization on the planet to do the same. Organizations around the world need to transition to a net zero, environmentally sustainable future in a short period of time, and our partners are leveraging the Microsoft cloud, Cloud for Sustainability, data and AI to build innov…

Some people consider clothes shopping to be retail therapy. For Charlotte Oxnam, it’s usually been the opposite of a healing experience. “There’s a really common misconception of, ‘Oh, well there's multiple sizes. You can just grab one,’ which hurts even more when none of them are yours,” says Oxnam, 20, a plus-size budding entrepreneur and engineering student in her junior year at Northwestern University. “It's this constant feeling of otherness. Even if you haven't experienced it in clothing, everyone's felt it to some degree: of being the odd man out, being the one not thought about, the one left behind. It felt like no matter what you do – the diets you try, the sport…

Sea of Thieves' third time-limited Adventure, The Shrouded Deep, and the long-awaited Pirate Legend Voyage, Legend of the Veil, are playable now. The connected stories both involve the Veil of the Ancients, a magical artefact that can grant its user the ability to travel between the living world and the spectral Sea of the Damned. "In The Shrouded Deep, players join forces with Belle and famed Megalodon hunter Merrick, and attempt to summon that great pale leviathan: the Shrouded Ghost," writes Mike Chapman, creative director for Rare, in a post on Xbox Wire. "Be prepared for a monster hunt that’ll live on in legend as you seek to liberate the Veil of the Ancients from th…

Luminous Night, Minecraft Dungeons’ second seasonal adventure, is now live and available for free. "Explore the Tower as you’ve never seen it before, with floors that feature new biomes, perplexing puzzles and the wildfire – an old fan favorite that is making a triumphant return to the Minecraft universe," writes Per Landin on Minecraft.net. "Luminous Night also features plenty of radiant rewards that will light up your surroundings with bioluminescent delight! These include the dreadfully adorable ministrosity and abomination pets, but also plenty of shiny emotes, skins and flairs." Like all seasonal adventures, Luminous Night is completely free. For those interested in …

A year ago, we made a promise to simplify and help secure our customers’ lives, and what an amazing journey it’s been. We have been humbled by the love we have received over the past 12 months. We’re grateful to you, our customers, for trusting Microsoft Autofill to secure your passwords and other data and helping us with your feedback. We’ve heard you and made a lot of improvements along the way, and we thank you for that! Today is a special day not just because it’s our 1-year anniversary, but also because starting today you can use Autofill in Microsoft Authenticator to help protect your online accounts by generating strong, unique passwords. If you’re looking to prot…